Pope Francis Says He's Cool With Birth Control Now

The Zika virus is changing history in more than one way.

Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, just made history by suggesting contraceptives may be used to prevent the spread of the Zika virus, despite the church's longstanding ban on most forms of birth control.

The Pope's comments may be met by cheers from health officials, but they are likely to upset conservative Catholics.

Health officials believe Zika is linked to microcephaly in newborns when pregnant women are infected. Microcephaly is a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development, causing abnormal smallness of the head. Children born with microcephaly can die from the condition and others affected often face developmental challenges and intellectual disabilities. Right now, the Zika virus has been found in over 30 countries and territories across the world, and we're seeing a huge increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly.

At a press conference on Thursday, the Pope was asked whether the Catholic Church should consider contraception the "lesser of two evils" if you're comparing the possibility of women aborting fetuses infected with Zika.

The Pope first answered by calling abortion an "absolute evil" and a "crime."

"It is to kill someone in order to save another. This is what the Mafia does," Francis said. "On the other hand, avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil."

The pope's comments on contraception are a historic departure from the Vatican's usual rhetoric, which has condemned most forms of contraception for centuries. This is a huge deal, not only for Catholic women, but also for healthcare providers. Right now, Catholic insurance companies do not offer coverage for birth control, though some do arrange coverage through outside providers. Hopefully, the comments made by Pope Francis will influence Catholic insurance providers to think twice.